The Abia State Government has set up a committee to oversee the upgrading of Ariaria market in Aba to an international standard.

The committee is made up of the Commissioners for Lands, justice, Works, Industry, Environment, Industry, Housing and Trade and Investment. It is also to supervise activities related to the provision of modern facilities in the market.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the weekly executive council meeting at the Government House, the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Bonnie Iwuoha, assured that no trader in the market will lose his shop on account of the market upgrade which is to be carried out in phases.

According to him, government is committed to completing the modernisation of the market in good time and further disclosed that a committee headed by the commissioner for Lands, Barr Uche Ihediwa, has also been set up to resolve the conflict between Union Homes and the Federal Mortgage Bank which has stalled the realisation of the Unity Garden Estate at Osisioma Local Government Area.

Comrade Iwuoha disclosed that government directed that henceforth, any contractor seeking to obtain contract from the State Government must have operational office in the state or lose such contracts.

He also said that EXCO approved the recommendations of the Finance and General Purposes Committee for road contracts and street lights in the three senatorial zones of the state.

•Photo shows Bonnie Iwuoha.